NARROW ESCAPE PROM ASSASSINATION. 37 



made a pallet of them; and calling my faithful dog to my side, 

 lay down, witli my gun close to my body, and in a few m.inute8 

 was to all appearance fast asleep. 



"A short time had elapsed when some voices were heard, 

 and from the corner of my eyes I saw two athletic youths 

 making their entrance, bearing a dead stag on a pole. They 

 disposed of their burden, and asking for whisky, helped them- 

 selves freely to it. Observing me and the wounded Indian, 

 they asked who I was, and why the devil that rascal (meaning 

 the Indian, who, they knew, understood not a word of English) was 

 in the house ? The mother, for so she proved to be, bade them 

 speak less loudly, made mention of my watch, and took them 

 to a corner, where a conversation took place, the purport of 

 which it required little shrewdness in me to guess. I tapped 

 my dog gently, he moved his tail, and with indescribable 

 pleasure I saw his fine eyes alternately fixed on me and raised 

 towards the trio in the corner. I felt that he perceived danger 

 in my situation. The Indian exchanged the last glance with 

 me. 



" The lads had eaten and drunk themselves into such condition 

 that I already looked upon them as Jiors de combat; and the 

 frequent visits of the whisky bottle to the ugly mouth of their 

 dam, I hoped would soon reduce her to a like state. Judge of 

 my astonishment when I saw this incarnate fiend take a large 

 carving-knife, and go to the grindstone to whet its edge. I 

 saw her pour the water on the turning machine, and watched 

 her working away with the dangerous instrument, until the 

 cold sweat covered every part of my body, in despite of my 

 determination to defend myself to the last. Her task finished, 

 she walked to her reeling sons, and said, ' There, that'll soon 

 settle him ! Boys, kill yon , and then for the watch !' 



" I turned, cocked my gun-locks silently, touched my faithful 

 companion, and lay ready to start up and shoot the first who 

 might attempt my life. The moment was fast approaching, 

 and that night might have been my last in this world, had not 

 Providence made provision for my rescue. All was ready. The 

 infernal hag was advancing slowly, probably contemplating the 

 best way of despatching me whilst her sons should be engaged 

 with the Indian. I was several times on the eve of rising, and 



